Colson Whitehead
Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning author of The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys
Percival Everett
Author of the National Book Award-winning novel James
Photo credit: Michael Avedon
Percival Everett has established himself as one of the most inventive and incisive writers in contemporary American literature. Hailed as a "literary icon" (Oprah Daily), he has written more than thirty books—including novels, poetry, and short story collections—which have won numerous prizes and international accolades. A thought-provoking speaker, Everett lectures on the power of literature to change the way we see the world and the unique influences that inspire us to create art.
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About Percival Everett
Percival Everett is one of the most innovative, provocative, and prolific writers of our time. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and winner of the National Book Award for Fiction, he has produced a captivating and immensely diverse collection of genre-bending literary works that challenge and inspire readers to contemplate and reconsider the societal and cultural forces that shape our worldviews.
In his wide-ranging literary works, Everett examines a plethora of questions at the core of what it means to be human. From “western” and epistolary novels and wild capers to retellings of Greek mythology, short stories, and poetry, Everett boldly tackles different styles and formats, turning each into his own in the process. With his sharp observations and biting wit, he explores everything from race, politics, gender, and power to family, purpose, the battle between love and intellect, and what it truly means to be alive.
In his engaging talks, he shares fascinating anecdotes about how he created his diverse bibliography and his unique approach to the creative process.
Everett’s newest novel, James, is a brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—both harrowing and ferociously funny—told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. An instant New York Times bestseller hailed as “genius” by The Atlantic, James won the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction. A film adaptation, produced by Steven Spielberg, is currently in development. His other recent books include Dr. No (winner of the 2023 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and finalist for the NBCC Award for Fiction), The Trees (finalist for the Booker Prize and the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award), Telephone (finalist for the Pulitzer Prize), So Much Blue, Erasure, and I Am Not Sidney Poitier. He has also written acclaimed short story and poetry collections.
Everett received the NBCC Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and the PEN Center USA Award for Fiction—among many other literary awards—and was also the recipient of a 2023 Windham Campbell Prize for Fiction. He is a Distinguished Professor of English at University of Southern California and lives in Los Angeles.
Contact us about booking Percival Everett for your next event.
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Speaking Topics
The Art of Contemporary Fiction
From revisionist westerns to crime novels and retellings of Greek mythology, Percival Everett is a master at taking well-known literary styles or tropes and flipping them on their heads to help readers view the world through creative new lenses. In this engaging lecture, audiences discover the historical events, societal issues, and literary influences that have inspired the range of subjects he tackles in his works and how and why he takes a unique approach to each.
A Conversation with Percival Everett
As the author of more than thirty novels as well as poetry and short story collections, Everett reflects on the personal experiences, interests, and passions that play into the art he creates as well as the craft and research involved in his writing process, and then takes questions from the audience.
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Video
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Praise for Percival Everett
He was thoughtful, funny, and personable. Our attendees really enjoyed hearing his thoughts on the importance of books, the process of writing, and lessons learned.
— Tanner Humanities Center at the University of Utah -
Books by Percival Everett
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Media About Percival Everett
Request Fees
and Availability
- 212 572-2013
- Percival Everett travels from Los Angeles, CA
Featured Title
James
"The times are finally catching up to the satirical genius of this cult literary icon . . . Everett is a true American genius, a master artist.” ―Oprah Daily
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